1. Trail Mix - Job
Opportunities with VO
Welcome to Trail Mix, a Zip-lock bagful of
VO-related fun facts, links and puzzlers, served up fresh with every
issue of Contours. Look for helpful information on everything outdoors
along with other interesting tidbits that enhance your awareness and
well-being (and your funny bone too).
Our organization is growing in many positive ways.
As a result, several jobs are opening up with Venture Outdoors very
shortly. Stay tuned for an email blast with Venture Outdoors job
postings later this week and check back with the
postings on our website
Call 412-255-0564 if you are interested in any of these positions.
Membership Relations Coordinator
Membership Manager
Program Coordinator
Kayak Pittsburgh Manager
Also check out these opportunities:
MSA/Venture Outdoors Technology Intern
MSA and Venture Outdoors are looking for a computer-savvy intern to help them update
this Southwestern PA non-profit's technology. Online registration
anyone? For information systems majors, this is the dream job!
For more information click on the following link:
http://www.ventureoutdoors.org/docs/MSAintern.pdf
Please send applications to Erik Lingren, Executive Director:
elingren@ventureoutdoors.org
Whose UR MoJo? Logo Art Contest
Help VO create some snazzy new t-shirts! See how many variations
of "Jo Outdoors" you can invent!
2.
MLK Day in the Park Recap
In spite of the bleak weather conditions, we had a great turnout for
Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park this past Monday! About 112
brave souls tried out the "more wet than usual" ice skating, with a
total of over 200 participants, staff and volunteers attending the day's
events. The artists stole the show with their interactive art
including weaving, batiking, singing/storytelling, and a communal
"paint-by-number" painting of Dr. King.
Thanks to all our sponsors:
Dominion,
Pittsburgh Citiparks
for the free ice skating,
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts for coordinating the artists and
REI, as well as
East End Food Co-op,
Eat 'N Park and
Whole Foods for their food donations. Thanks also goes out to
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Councilman Bill Peduto for
making an appearance at the event!
Special thanks to our amazing army of volunteers which included groups
from American Eagle
Outfitters, Chatham
College, Eat’n
Park,
SCA and our supportive members and friends of VO. We could not have
done this without you!
Sean Brady of Venture Outdoors, and artist Saihou Njie watch as Mayor Luke
Ravenstahl tries his hand at batiking, an art that involves wax and dye on
cloth, at the 5th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park.
Photo credit: Robert Harkey
3.
Venture Outdoors Membership Corner
Winter Member's Party
Venture
Outdoors Members Winter Party
featuring the 4th Annual Camp Stove Cook-off
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Noon - 4:00 PM
Free event for Venture Outdoors Members!
Featuring:
cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, the ever-popular snowcreature-making competition, chair massages,
and art activities with the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. We'll also
feature the annual Camp Stove Cook-off, which allows you to show off
your culinary skills by preparing your favorite dishes on an outdoor
stove. Venture Outdoors staff will be on hand to judge entries and
awards will be given for:
* best entrée *
* best appetizer *
* best dessert *
This event is open to all members and their friends and family. If you
would like to attend and are not yet a member, call today and join the
fun. Please bring a potluck dish to share (separate from the Cook-off).
Call the Venture Outdoors office to reserve your spot or to participate
in the Camp Stove Cook-off as a chef or judge. Please specify the
categories for which you are competing in the Cook-off when you
register. Special thanks to Wilderness Voyageurs for providing the
winter party site!
Cook-off entry deadline: Monday, February 5th
Sign up for Membership today and
pledge your support to outdoor recreation!
Put yourself in the center of the action!
We make it easy for you to become a member with Venture Outdoors TODAY.
Members receive discounts on the hundreds of activities with Venture
Outdoors throughout the year, discounts from local merchants, priority
listing on activity waiting lists and subscriptions to Contours and
Adventure Times as well as providing support for the organization that
means so much to you. Read on for some of the great things that come
along with Venture Outdoors membership, and to join,
click here!
Become
a V.O. Member!
Discover the advantages of a Venture Outdoors membership...call
today!
412-255-0564, ext. 26
Or, click here.
|
4. Call for Volunteers
We need a little help here!
Calling all Database Dynamos and Office Oficianos
Do you have some time to spare during the week?
If so, we would be happy to include you in our ever-growing family of
volunteers. Venture Outdoors staff is in need of volunteers for data
entry, mailings and premium shipments as well as various office
assistance during regular business hours
(9 – 5 PM, Monday – Friday). Shifts are flexible.
Please contact Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26 or
aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org
today.
5. Outdoor
Announcements & Events
Get out your planners folks...
Special Events
Fly Tying Nights
by
Wilderness Voyageurs
What?: Join Dale Kotowski for Fly Tying Nights. We have some supplies,
but feel free to bring your own. Share patterns and tips or learn new
ones.
When?: Beginning November 1st, every other Wednesday
night at 6:30 PM
Where?: Falls City Restaurant and Pub
For more information: Contact Wilderness Voyageurs at
724-329-8336.
Environment/Health/Community
5,000,000 Steps for a Cure
Starting March 17, 2006, Mark Shaffer will be attempting a thru hike of
the Appalachian Trail in memory of his nephew Eric, who lost his battle
to leukemia a year before. His goal is to raise $20 for each mile
walked. If you would like to support Mark's endeavor to raise funds for
the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visit his website:
www.fivemillionsteps.org. You can also track Mark's progress on the AT
through his blog at
http://fivemillionsteps.org/trailjournal/
Venture Outdoors Member Joins Climb For Hope
Laura Willumsen of Pittsburgh has joined the Climb for Hope expedition
which is raising money for breast cancer research by climbing Cotopaxi,
the highest active volcano in Ecuador (19,500'), to raise funds that
will be directed toward a vaccine being developed at Johns Hopkins
University.
Thanks to all who donated! Laura has already raised $10,000 in two
months: more than double the amount required! Continue to make donations
and find out more about Laura's expedition:
www.climbforhope.org
Changes in Fall Musky Stocking
Waterways around PA will see an increase in
musky stockings in the near future. The PA Fish and Boating Commission
would like input from anglers about the changes. You can take the survey
here, or for more information, please visit
www.fishandboat.com.
Clean-Up/Trails
Great Allegheny Passage
The trail from Pittsburgh to DC is now complete!
Click here for the Pop City article.
EMS: Going out of business Sale
Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) in Ross Park Mall is going out of business
by the end of January. Take advantage of the steep discounts while they
last! All sales are final, no returns or price adjustments. Call the
store for more information: 412-364-8078.
6. Support VO
Do
your online shopping through iGive
and support Venture Outdoors!
That's right, go head and buy something for yourself
or a friend – a new CD, the latest bestseller, essentials like
toothpaste or vitamins, even a computer. But first join at
www.iGive.com/VentureOutdoors.
Every time you shop at one of the over 600 name-brand stores
in the Mall at iGive.com, we'll receive a donation of up
to 26% of each purchase you make, at no cost to you.
Membership is free and your privacy is guaranteed.
Contact Allison with any questions about this great program:
aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org
Thanks for supporting Venture Outdoors!
|
I. The Venture Outdoors
Activity Spotlight
Here are some trips that you'll really enjoy.
Check out the new Winter/Spring 2007 schedule!
Featuring: Lower Member Prices!
Saturday, January 20
Wine and Cheese Hike
Stretch the legs, explore a new trail and meet other
fun people as we hike a bit through one of our
city's wonderful parks. After a few miles in the
woods, you can relax with a repast of bread, wine
and the best cheeses in the world. Now that's a
tasty combination! Minimum age 21.
Location: Frick Park
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 member, $30.00 non-member
Sunday, January 21
Doggie Day Treks
Come
and enjoy the company of others and their dogs as we
share the best practices and best locations for
enjoying the outdoors with your puppy. We'll start
with plenty of social time for our dogs to get to
know each other, followed by an easy 5-6 mile hike. Limit 2
dogs per person. Leashes required, but off-leash
time will be included. Dogs must have current
vaccinations. Please bring water and dog food, as
well as bags to clean up after your doggie. Hiking
boots or sturdy shoes recommended for humans!
Location: Mingo Creek Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $8.00 member, $12.00 non-member
Saturday, January 27
Winter Camping Introduction
Emphasis will be on safety and our ability to
improvise. Know you can survive winter weather and understand how
to do it by spending 24 hours outdoors along the
Baker Trail. Located near Crooked Creek and within
1/3 mile of our parked cars, walk in and camp. A
four mile moderate difficulty hike or backpack is
optional. Campsite is an Adirondack shelter which
sleeps about 6, plus tenting locations.
Location: Baker Trail
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 member, $40.00 non-member
Sunday, January 28
Snowshoeing
If you can walk, you can snowshoe, but it’s a lot
more fun! If there's snow, we'll head out on the
trail and learn how to best maneuver with these
contraptions on our feet. Everyone should bring a
lunch and we will find a scenic spot along the trail
to take a break. Fee includes snowshoe rental. If no
snow, simply deduct $15 and we'll hike instead.
Location: Allegheny Gorge, Kennerdell
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: $20.00 member, $35.00 non-member
II.
V.O. in the News
Check
out the latest about Venture Outdoors in the news. See more press on our website.
SCA and Venture Outdoors
Commemorate Dr. King's Legacy
with Fifth Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park
Venture Outdoors
-Monday, January 15, 2007
Downtown Rises to the Occasion
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
-Monday, January 1, 2007
Cultural Events in the City
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
-Saturday, December 30, 2006
'Adventure City'
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
-Thursday, December 28, 2006
III. Venture
Outdoors Activities
For more information
on any of our activities visit our website
www.ventureoutdoors.org.
Thursday, January 18
All Terrian Night Hike - Winter Series
Location: Schenely Park
Time: 5:45 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: $10.00 member, $14.00 non-member
Saturday, January 20
Day Trek
Location: North Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $5.00 member, $10.00 non-member
Wine and Cheese Hike
Minimum age 21.
*Spotlight Activity*
Snowshoeing - Lite
Location: Laurel Summit State Park
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $18.00 member, $30.00 non-member
Sunday, January 21
Doggie Day Trek
*Spotlight Activity*
Cross Country Skiing - Lite
Location: Kooser State Park
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $15.00 member, $20.00 non-member
Saturday, January 27
Chinese New Year Skiing
Location: Harrison Hills Park
Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $12.00 member, $20.00 non-member
Winter Camping Introduction
*Spotlight Activity*
Sunday, January 28
Soup of the Day Hike
Location: Schenley Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $10.00 member, $18.00 non-member
Snowshoeing
*Spotlight Activity*
Thursday, February 1
All Terrain Night Hikes - Winter Series
Location: North Park Boathouse
Time: 5:45 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: $10.00 member, $14.00 non-member
Friday, February 2
Full Moon Snowshoeing
Location: Deer Lakes Park
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: $15.00 member, $25.00 non-member
Saturday, February 3
Snowshoeing - Lite
Location: Roaring Run
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $18.00 member, $30.00 non-member
Cross Country Skiing
Location: Kooser State Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: $15.00 member, $25.00 non-member
Beer Tasting Hike
Minimum age 21.
Location: Hartwood Acres
Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 member, $30.00 non-member
IV. Words of Inspiration
Things that make you go, "Hmmmm..."
Crows: The Yard
Sharon F. McDermott is a poet and an administrator
at the Center for Environmental Oncology of UPCI. In
2005, her chapbook, Alley Scatting, inspired by the
alleyways of Pittsburgh, was published by Parallel
Press, University of Wisconsin,
http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu/about.shtml
Complete Listings at www.ventureoutdoors.org
Questions?
Call us 412-255-0564
Contours is an e-newsletter of
Venture Outdoors and is published every two
weeks.
|
|
